BBC World Service announces Emergency Radio Service for Gaza

BBC World Service announces Emergency Radio Service for Gaza

1 November 2023

BBC World Service announces Emergency Radio Service for Gaza

BBC News Arabic has today (1 November) announced an Emergency Radio Service for Gaza in response to the conflict in the region.

The emergency service – Gaza Daily – will broadcast vital news daily to the people of Gaza during this time of urgent need.

It will provide listeners in Gaza with the latest information and developments as well as safety advice on where to access shelter, food and water supplies.

Produced in Cairo and London and broadcast on medium wave, the service will initially run one programme a day at 1500 GMT from Friday 3 November. A second daily update will be broadcast at 0500 GMT from Friday 10 November.

The BBC World Service has a history of responding to emergency situations globally. Most recently, in May 2023 during the conflict in Sudan BBC News Arabic began an emergency radio service. In February 2022, the BBC News Ukraine service began extended TV bulletins following the invasion of the country. The BBC also previously launched a service for Gaza in 2014 following a summer of conflict.

Liliane Landor, Director, BBC World Service, says: “BBC News Arabic are extremely well-placed to offer this vital service for the people of Gaza at a time of greatest need. Their expertise and specialist knowledge of the region alongside the BBC’s reputation as the most trusted news provider, means we can reach civilians in Gaza with the information they need.”

Notes to editors: The Gaza service will be broadcast on MW 639kHz for morning and evening episodes.

[Source: BBC press release]

 

Al Arabiya Network launches Al Arabiya Business platform

Al Arabiya Network launches Al Arabiya Business platform

27 October 2023

Al Arabiya Network launches Al Arabiya Business platform

Al Arabiya Network, the Arab world’s leading source of news, announces the launch of Al Arabiya Business, a brand-new service dedicated to news and updates from the world of business, finance and more.

The launch of Al Arabiya Business comes in response to the growing demand for comprehensive and real-time coverage surrounding increasing and accelerating political events in the region and beyond necessitating more extensive and continuous coverage by Al Arabiya and Al Hadath TV channels around the clock.

Al Arabiya Business is available for free-to-air broadcast, as well as live streaming via Shahid, the world’s leading Arabic streaming platform, in addition to Al Arabiya Network’s website and YouTube.

Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim, Chairman of MBC GROUP and Al Arabiya Network, stated: “Al Arabiya and Al Hadath’s commitment to extensively covering significant events in the region – including current events in Gaza – has driven us to introduce Al Arabiya Business, a platform primarily dedicated to business and finance updates. It’s widely recognised that the heartbeat of global financial markets never falters, even in the midst of conflicts and disasters. Our objective is for Al Arabiya Network to maintain its status as a trusted source for viewers seeking updates on economic and financial developments, all the while staying informed about the ongoing critical events in our region and worldwide.”

Mamdouh AlMuhaini, General Manager of Al Arabiya Network and Al Hadath, added: “The financial and business sector, as highlighted in our ‘Aswaq Al Arabiya’ [Al Arabiya Markets] programme, has garnered considerable attention from our viewers. In light of the upsurge in conflicts and significant events, especially in the Middle East and North Africa – such as the earthquakes in Turkey, Syria and Morocco, the war in Sudan, and the ongoing situation in Gaza – our viewers are increasingly eager to stay informed around the clock.

“As a result, we made the decision to launch Al Arabiya Business as a service dedicated to the latest updates, as well as streaming ‘Aswaq Al Arabiya’ as standalone segments, aligning with our commitment to cater to our viewers’ ever-evolving informational needs, be it in the realm of politics, economics, or the business sector.”

Al Arabiya Business is available via the following outlets:

[Source: Al Arabiya press release]

RFE/RL Condemns Detention of Journalist Alsu Kurmasheva in Russia

RFE/RL Condemns Detention of Journalist Alsu Kurmasheva in Russia

19 October 2023

RFE/RL Condemns Detention of Journalist Alsu Kurmasheva in Russia

On October 18, authorities in Kazan, Russia, detained Alsu Kurmasheva, an editor with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s (RFE/RL) Tatar-Bashkir Service. Kurmasheva has been charged with failure to register as a foreign agent. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment.

“Alsu is a highly respected colleague, devoted wife, and dedicated mother to two children,” said RFE/RL acting President Dr. Jeffrey Gedmin. “She needs to be released so she can return to her family immediately.” Kurmasheva is a dual U.S. and Russian citizen who lives in Prague, Czech Republic, with her husband and children.

Kurmasheva traveled to Russia for a family emergency on May 20. She was temporarily detained while waiting for her return flight on June 2. Authorities at Kazan airport confiscated Kurmasheva’s U.S. and Russian passports. She was subsequently fined for failure to register her U.S. passport with Russian authorities. She was awaiting the return of her passports when the new charge was announced on October 18.

Kurmasheva is an accomplished journalist who has long covered ethnic minority communities in Tatarstan and Bashkortostan in the Volga-Ural region of Russia. She has reported on initiatives to protect and preserve the Tatar language and culture from Russian authorities, who have exerted increased pressure on Tatars in recent years.

Since 2012, Russia has used foreign agent laws to punish perceived government critics who receive funding from abroad or are deemed to be “under foreign influence,” including civil society groups, media outlets, independent journalists, and activists.

[Source: RFE/RL press release; photo credit Pangea Graphics RFE/RL]

Freedom of information and media freedom at risk, says DG8 group of international public media organizations

Freedom of information and media freedom at risk, says DG8 group of international public media organizations

6 October 2023

Freedom of information and media freedom at risk, says DG8 group of international public media organizations

Montréal, CANADA — Trusted news and verified information from independent public service media has never been more important, nor more challenging to produce, warned the DG8, a group of eight international public media organizations, at the conclusion of its annual summit in Montreal, Canada.

As an increasing number of countries around the world censor independent media and violate press freedom, DG8 members called on international organizations to protect freedom of information and media freedom, both of which are essential to democratic societies and the protection of human rights. For example, more must be done to protect people’s right to Internet access and to curb Internet censorship.

Leaders from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the BBC World Service, CBC/Radio-Canada, Deutsche Welle, France Médias Monde, NHK WORLD-JAPAN, SRG SSR, and the United States Agency for Global Media met on October 4 and 5 in Montréal, under the presidency of CBC/Radio-Canada.

“Never has reliable news and information been so important and yet so under attack. In the face of growing disinformation, threats to the safety of journalists, funding pressures, and challenges to their continued existence, public service media must continue to demonstrate to their citizens that trusted, independent information is essential to a healthy society. The DG8 remains committed to addressing our common challenges, to better serve our publics and strengthen democracies around the globe.” Catherine Tait, President and CEO, CBC/Radio-Canada

In response to the challenges faced in the production and distribution of trusted news, the DG8 agreed to work together to address:

Misinformation and disinformation, which continue to proliferate. One response to these challenges is for news organizations worldwide to help audiences distinguish between what is real and what is fake. DG8 members each champion such efforts in different ways — some have adopted standards such as the Journalism Trust Initiative(JTI) certification from Reporters Without Borders (RSF), while others have focused on content provenance through initiatives such as the new Content Credentials standard. Launched in 2019, Content Credentials (originally called “Project Origin”) has evolved into an open-source, universal standard that is cryptographically secure, informing audiences when content has been altered or amended from its original state. This end-to-end solution was developed by an industry-wide group of content publishers, distribution platforms, and equipment manufacturers known as the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA). The group includes the BBC, CBC/Radio-Canada, The New York Times, Microsoft, Adobe, Omnicom, Publicis, Intel, Sony, and Arm.

News content blocking by intermediaries such as social media platforms and public authorities, which results in restricted access to audiences and decreased audience reach by public service media. The DG8 will monitor the policies and practices of digital giants such as Meta, which is blocking access to news content on its Facebook and Instagram platforms in Canada and phasing-out Facebook News in the United Kingdom, France and Germany. The DG8 will also study the impact of blocking access to public media content and consider the implications for other countries.

Increasing threats to journalists’ safety, which is contributing to a worldwide decline in media freedom. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 16 journalists have been killed so far in 2023, and 65 are missing. DG8 members will explore how they can respond more effectively, both individually and collectively.

The use of Artificial Intelligence in newsrooms. The DG8 will discuss establishing common standards and practices regarding AI.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) will assume the presidency of the DG8 in 2024.

 

The DG8 comprises eight international public service media organizations from Australia (ABC), Canada (CBC/Radio-Canada), France (France Médias Monde), Germany (Deutsche Welle), Japan (NHK WORLD-JAPAN), Switzerland (SRG SSR), the United Kingdom (BBC World Service), and the United States (U.S. Agency for Global Media).

Collectively, DG8 members generate more than 1.5 billion user contacts every week in more than 75 languages, giving them a significant journalistic impact worldwide. Through their delivery of professional, balanced and verified news and information, DG8 members are at the forefront of the fight against fake news, content manipulation and propaganda.
BBC Studios appoints SVP Scripted and SVP Factual for EMEA

BBC Studios appoints SVP Scripted and SVP Factual for EMEA

5 October 2023

BBC Studios appoints SVP Scripted and SVP Factual for EMEA

Ahead of Mipcom 2023, BBC Studios have announced that Chris Kinsman and Rebecca Ransley have been promoted to the newly created roles of Senior Vice President Factual and Senior Vice President Scripted for BBC Studios’ Content Sales Markets EMEA.

 Based in London and reporting to Nick Percy, President of Global Markets, Chris and Rebecca will lead the teams responsible for co-production and finished tape sales across all EMEA markets, setting the sales strategy and directing co-production and content financing opportunities for their respective genres. Chris and Rebecca will work closely with BBC Studios’ content sales leads across Global Markets and North America, as well as with BBC Studios Production leadership.

Nick Percy, President, Global Markets said, “Both Chris and Rebecca bring a wealth of experience and expertise to their new roles which have been created to reflect the evolving needs of our business. With these promotions I am delighted to be able to recognise the quality of their leadership and the strength and expertise of our sales teams.”

Chris Kinsman, SVP Factual, Content Sales Markets EMEA said, “For a number of years Rebecca and I have worked alongside each other, so we’re delighted to be jointly leading the integrated EMEA sales team with these new roles and we’re looking forward to unlocking further opportunities for our world class factual and scripted programming.”

Rebecca Ransley, SVP Scripted, Content Sales Markets EMEA said, “With BBC Studios’ ambitious growth plans and growing pipeline it’s the perfect time to have refreshed our team structure in line with the company’s objectives allowing closer and richer conversations with our partners.”

Chris has spent almost twenty years nurturing key strategic relationships for the EMEA region at BBC Studios. Having worked across sales and co-productions in France and content sales in Italy and Iberia, Chris then went on to lead the Western Europe Content Sales team for Factual. Over the course of his time at BBC Studios, Chris has led commercial partnerships across key EMEA markets for Factual, overseen the negotiations and delivered multiple co-productions for key BBC Studios’ content and fostered long lasting partnerships.

With over a decade of experience within roles at BBC Studios, Rebecca has managed sales teams across multiple EMEA markets working with both local and global partners. Over recent years she has worked closely on BBC Studios’ scripted output and its sales strategy across EMEA, ensuring a natural progression into her new role. Prior to her time at BBC Studios, Rebecca held a variety of commercial and production roles at the BBC including at BBC Panorama.

BBC Studios recently announced that it will be heading to Mipcom with a standout slate packed with distinct, high-quality programming, including Mammals, The Famous Five, Truelove, Disco: Soundtrack of a Revolution and The Unique Boutique.

Bespoke events include a fireside chat with CEOs for Global Distribution and Productions, Rebecca Glashow and Ralph Lee, and live play-along game of primetime entertainment format, The 1% Club.

BBC Studios will be located at P0.E1 within the Palais des Festivals Verrière section at the market.

[Source: BBC press release]